Spain to be taken to court over Valencia's 'land grab' laws

Spain is being taken to the European Court of Justice over the "land grab" laws in Valencia. Thousands of British homeowners in the Valencia province lost land as a result of the land grab laws.

Under Valencia's land grab laws developers were able to seize private property for the creation of public works. However, Spain is now facing legal action, which has been brought by the European Commission, reports The Telegraph.

Spain now faces accusations of infringements of competition regulations and could be made to pay significant fines. Furthermore, Valencia could be forced to review its planning laws.

"It is extremely good news. For the first time those responsible for blatantly breaking EU-wide regulations will be brought to account. If successful, it will mean huge fines for Spain and an end to these laws once and for all," said Charles Svoboda of Abusos Urbanísticos No, a lobby group representing those affected by the land grab laws.

However, a victory at the Court would be largely symbolic for affected homeowners as the European Court of Justice has no power to award compensation, Svoboda added. The group is planning to pursue the right to compensation through the European Court of Human Rights.

Many homeowners in the Valencia province found that areas of their garden or even their house had been given to contractors for "urban development" and were awarded little compensation. As a result, properties were rendered near worthless and in some cases owners were forced to pay for infrastructure on the expropriated land.

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